Isaias strengthens to Category 1 hurricane, projected to make landfall Saturday on Gulf Coast

Tropical storm Isaias strengthened overnight into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season and is expected to make landfall Saturday on the northern U.S. Gulf Coast. 

The storm as of Thursday morning was identified as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 80 mph and the potential to near Category 3 intensity.

Isaias is expected to weaken slightly before making landfall but still bring tornados, storm surges and up to 10 inches of rain.

States of emergency have been issued in parts of Alabama and Florida, where mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in two of the state's panhandle counties, according to CNN. 

The National Weather Service issued a Hurricane Warning early Thursday morning for part of the Gulf region.